Wtf?

[84bluebronco2]

Had something similar to this in an old chevy. The rear end locked up causing the tranny to blow fluid out of the dipstick over the top of the engine setting it on fire. Melted everything on top of the motor costing me tons to get running again. I'm not saying this is what happened here but the problem in the rear and the fluid over the motor sounds strangely similar

His info states that his truck is a 5 speed. Seeing as it is a 2.3L, and most of the fluid checks are on the driver's side of the motor, I'm going to venture a guess that the sheared valve cover bolt is the culprit. Hopefully it is only engine oil, and nothing else.

 

[rangerbum]

I revved up the engine by pulling the throttle cable and looked under the hood today and found it. It is the sheered bolt. The valve cover missing that tightener doesn't hold tgere gasket tight enough to keep oil in.

 

[Black'03LevelII]

Hey Matt, I will bring home my drill and extractors, you can bring it over friday, and we can get the broken bolt out and replaced. Be a piece of cake!

 

[rangerbum]

Hmm... I like cake....

 

[rangerbum]

I need to pick up a new bolt to replace the sheered one, and want the right one. I tried a 8mm socket on the others and it had no noticeable play on the bolt head, but Now I need to know the size of the threaded portion of the bolt. Does anybody know right off the top of their head or should I pop the hood in the parking lot of the hardware store, pull one out and take it in?

 

[adsm08]

It's probably an 8x1.25x8 or 10.